Collapsible box and method of making same



Nov. 5, 1940.

H. A. CARRUTH COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Aug. 13,1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR m F 1% f. Mo M Mm WWW Nov. 5, 1940. .H.A. CARRUTH COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Aug. 13,-19364 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1940.

H. A CARRUTH OOLLAPSIBLE BOX AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed m. 13, 1956I 4 Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1940.

' COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Aug. 13. 1936 4Sheets-$heat 4 INVENTOR [lemma .5, ('a rrallo ATTORNEYS H. A. CARRUTH2,220,016

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND METHOD OF MAK-ING SAME Herman A. Carruth, Mount Carmel, Conn., assignor to NationalFolding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of New JerseyApplication August 131, 1936, Serial No. 95,784

3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible boxes and method of making same,and more particularly to a box which can be shipped and stored insubstantially fiat collapsed position and thereafter set up by the useras needed.

The improved collapsible box forming the subject of this invention maybe formed from a single blank of paperboard material comprising side andend wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, :firee end-seci1rtlngtabs being provided which extend from the ends of the side wall panelsand which have a portion thereof only secured to the inside face of theadjacent end wall panel. Collapsing of the box is attained by theprovision of fold lines which extend diagcnally across the securingtabs, thereby defining a side wall panel attached section and a free endsection, the free end sections only being secured to the inside face ofthe adjacent end wall panels. The side and end wall panels as thusconstructed are free of fold lines which is a common feature ofcollapsible boxes asheretofore constructed. Thus it will be noted thatwhen my improved box has been assembled and erected the full ultl- 25mate rigidity and strength of the material formingthe side and end wallpanels is retained, resulting in a box which is as strong and as rigidand serviceable as set-up boxes heretofore constructed which do not havethe collapsible feature.

- In my improved box construction as. erected, the free end-securingtabs extend inwardly in flat, unfolded position against the inside faceof the adjacent end wall panels. An inwardly foldable flap is providedon each of the end wall p nels to fold inwardly against the inside facethe securing tabs. Thus it will be noted that there is only a singlelayer of paperboard material between the end wall panels and the endwall flaps, so that the box as assembled and erected has smooth and neatside and end wall sections and is fully as attractive as a rigid set-upbox which does not possess the collapsing feature. Collapsible boxes asheretofore constructed are generally provided with a diagonally creasedweb portion which is integrally formed with the adjacent side and endwall panels, fold lines only defining the web portion'frorn the adjacentside and end wall panels, which permit folding of the 50 web. Whencollapsible boxes of such construction are assembled and erected, itwill be seen that the web sections defined by the diagonally extendingfold lines must be folded one upon the other, providing a double layerof paperboard at the corners of the box between the end wall panels andthe end wall flaps. End wall and possess bulged portions at the cornersof the box which greatly detract from its appearance and whichcontribute nothing to the strength of the construction. Such collapsibleboxes as are in common use also generally require fold lines whichextend diagonally across the side wall panels which greatly weakens theerected construction and causes the side wall panelsto buckle,presenting a box which is bulky but possesses little strength and isinherently sloppy in appearance.

Collapsible boxes as heretofore constructed also require special andcomplicated apparatus and equipment to assemble the same and alsorequire a number of hand operations, which adds ordinary rigid set-upbox, and at considerably less cost than collapsible boxes as heretoforeconstructed. The box maker is able to manuiacture my improvedcollapsible box by means of the standard equipment which he uses in themanufacture of his non-collapsible rigid boxes,

,no further or special attention or expense being required. My improvedcollapsible box also occupies less space since it is more compact andwhen in collapsed position possesses fewer superimposed paperboardlayers, thus further economizing in shipping and storage costs.Cooperating means are provided to lock the side and end wall sections inrigid, upstanding containerforming position. The box can be quickly andeasily set up without tools by a relatively unskilled worker. Boxes ofany desired shape and size can be formed by following the teachings ofmy invention.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved box formed frompaperboard material, which can be shipped and stored in collapsedsubstantially flat compact position, which thereafter can be quickly andeasily set up into erect container-forming position by the user asneeded and which can be made at low cost.

Another object of my invention is to .provid an improved collapsible boxwhich is strong and sturdy in construction, whose side and end panelssections as thus constructed are heavy and bulky are not weakened bybox-collapsing fold lines, which is formed from a minimum of paperboardmaterial, which is provided with side and end wall sections which areneat and strong and substantially uniform in thickness.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved collapsible boxwhich can be assembled by means of standard box-assembling equipmentused in the assembly of the ordinary non-collapsible set-up boxeswithout the use of special equipment and substantially without handoperation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a one-piece blankfrom which a collapsible box can be formed, which blank can be cut andscored substantially and entirely by automatic machinery in large volumeand at low cost, and which can be gummed or glued by automatic machineryin common use.

A further object of my inventionis to provide an improved method forassembling my improved collapsible box which requires a minimum numberof steps to effect complete assembly and collapse of the box, whichsteps canbeformed substantially entirely by automatic 'machineryquickly, expeditiously and economically. I

Various other features and advantages of the invention will .be apparentfrom th following particular description and froman in pection of theaccompanying drawings.

The invention further consists in the new and novel features ofoperation and the new and original arrangements and combinations ofsteps in the process hereinafter described and more particularly setforth in the claims.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a face view of a paperboard blank suitably cut and scored andready to be assembled into my improved collapsible box;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank showing particularly thetriangular portions of the free end tabs extending from the side wallpanel glued to the inside face of the end wall panel, certain partsbeing I broken away to illustrate certain features of the construction;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled blank in which the freeend tabs extending from the side wall panels are secured .to the endwall panels as shown in Fig. 2, this view showing the assembled blankcollapsed in substantially flat position with the side wall panelsoverlying the bottom wall section and in which collapsed position theassembled box is shipped and stored;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box as it appears whenset up by the user and ready for use;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the box showing an endwall and a portion of the bottom in cross-section, this view beingtaken' along line 5 -5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an inside face view of the blank from which a collapsible boxof somewhat modified construction may be made;

panels are secured to the inside face of the end board blank suitablycut andscored and ready for assembly into a collapsible box of furthermodified construction;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box assembled from theblank shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspectiveview of the assembled box shown in Fig. 11 as itappears when collapsed in substantially flat fo'rm ready for shipmentand storage;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the box erectedby the user from the assembled blank as shown in Fig.12;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus which may be used toassemble the various blanks into the form shown in Figs. 2, '7 and 11,respectively;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus illustratingone step in the assembled operation;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a further advancestep in the assembly operation and in which the side wall panels of theblank are folded upwardly and the free end tabs extending therefrom arefolded inwardly;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus illustratinga further advanced step in the assembly of the blank, this viewparticularly illustrating the end wall panels in the process of beingturned upwardly to be pressed into adhesive contact with the inturnedtabs extending from the side wall panel;

Fig. 18 isa perspective view of a series of collapsed assembled blanksarranged in superimposed stacked relationship ready for shipment andstorage; and

Fig. 19 is a face view of a blank of common form which is used inassembling set up boxes in common use.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the specification and drawings.

There is shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, a collapsible box made inaccordance with my invention. The box may be formed from a single blankof paperboard material as shown in Fig. 1 comprising, a bottom panel I,side wall panels 2 hinged thereto along the score lines 3 and end .wallpanels 4 hinged to thebottom panel along the score lines 3. Securingtabs extend from each end of the side wall panels 2 being hinged theretoalong the score lines l2. Each securing tab is bisected by a diagonallyextending score line l3 so as to define a triangular tab section 9hinged to the side wall panels 2 and a free end triangular section 10.The free end triangular sections I0 may be provided with a foot portionII which may be formed by cutting out the adjacent end of the end wallpanel. 4 along an arcuate line l9, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A flapI6 is hinged to each of the end wall panels 4 along the score lines I!and is adapted to be intumed when the box is erected so as to lieagainst the inside face'of the end wall panel 4 to which it is hinged.Lugsl8 may be provided which extend from each of the flaps l8 and'areings l4 to maintain the side and end wall panels in rigid erectposition, as will be hereinafter described.

A cover panel 5 hinged to one of the side wall' panels 2 along the scoreline 8 may be provided,-

if desired, A tuck-in flap 1 hinged to the top wall panel 5 along thescore line 8 may also be provided, if desired, to retain the cover panelin closed position.

In assembling the box from the blank shown in Fig. 1, a layer ofadhesive is first applied either to the outside face of the free endtriangular sections ill of the tabs or a triangular area of adhesive maybe applied to the inside face of the end wall panels 4, as shown in Fig.1, as may be found to be the most convenient. These triangular areas ofadhesive may be quickly applied automatically by a spot-gluing machinewell known to the art. Where the usual glue adhesive is used, theneither the triangular. tab portions Ill or the inside face of the endwall panels 4 only receive the glue, but if latex adhesive is appliedthen both the outside face of the triangular portions l and the insideface of the end wall panels 4 are coated with a layer of thelatexadhesive.

The box is preferably assembled automatically on an assembling machine,the operative parts of which will be more particularly describedhereinafter. In assembling the box the side wall panels 2 are turnedupwardly substantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel I, thetab portions extending from the. side wall panels are turned inwardly,the end wall panels 4 turned upwardly substantially at right angles tothe bottom wall panel I, and finally the triangular sections ill of the.securing tabs are pressed into adhering contact with the inside face ofthe end wall panels, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be noted particularlythat the triangular sections 9 are not glued or secured to the end wallpanels 4, and

that the triangular sections ll) of the tabs only are secured to theinside face ,of the end wall panels 4. b

The blank as thus assembled may then be collapsed in substantially flatposition, as shown in Fig. 4, with the side wall panels 2 overlying theinside face of the bottom wall panel I and the triangular portions 9overlying the triangular sections In fixed to the end wall panels 4.cover panel 5 is provided, the cover panel will overlie the bottom wallpanel I and the opposite collapsed side wall panel 2. The assembled boxthus collapsed may be stacked one upon the other, as shown in Fig. 18,and bound together into a convenient package for shipment to the user,in which condition it may be stored until ready for use.

When the box is to be packed with merchandise, the user applies inwardpressure to the end wall panels 4 of the collapsed assembled blank whichcauses the side wall panels to assume an erect position as the end wallpanels 4 are erected. The side and end wall panels when completelyerected'wlll stand substantially perpendicular to the bottom'wall panelI. The end wall flaps l6 are then turned inwardly against the insideface of the end wall panels 4 and the lugs l8 provided thereon areinserted into the corresponding openings provided in the foot portionsIQ of the adjacent securing tabs, thus securely locking the side and endwall panels in fixed erect box-forming position. The box-erectingoperation can be quickly performed by an operator without the use of anyerecting tool or machine. The box, when erected, appears as shown inFig. .4 and is ready to receive the merchandise. merchandise the coverpanel can be folded in position and the tuck-in flap I inserted into thebox and, if desired, suitably sealed in position.

There is shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, a collapsible box of somewhatmodified form assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 6. The blank hereshown is provided with ear portions 25 preferably triangular in formwhich extend laterally from each end of the respective end wall fiapsI6. Side wall flaps 21 hinged to the side wall panels 2 along the scorelines 28 are provided which may be turned inwardly against the insideface of the side wall panels and secured in position, as by a suitableadhesive g.

In assembling the box from the blank shown in Fig. 6, the side wallflaps are first coated with a layer of adhesive g on the inside facethereof and the outside face of the triangular portions ID of thesecuring tabs are also coated with a triangular area of adhesive. Ifpreferred, triangular areas of adhesive may be applied to the insideface of the end wall panels 4 to cement the unglued triangular portionsl0 thereto, in the manner heretofore described. The side wall fiaps 21are then folded inwardly and securedto the inside face of the side wallpanels 2.

The glued blank is then inserted into a boxassembling machine whichfirst erects the side wall panels 2, then turns the securing tabs in;wardly, then erects the end wall panels 4, and

finally presses the triangular sections l0 into adhesive contact withthe inside face of the end wall panels 4. The box thus assembled isejected from the machine and will of itself collapse into substantiallyflat 'conditionfas shown in Fig. 8, in which position the side wallpanels .2 will overlie the inside face of the bottom wall panel I andthe triangular sections 9 will overlie the triangular sections Hlsecured to the end wall panels 4. The collapsed assembled blanks arethen stacked one upon the other, shipped to the user, and stored by theuser until needed.

In erecting my improved box, an operator applies inward erectingpressure on the end wall panels 4, which operates to automatically erectthe side wall panels 2 into a position substantially perpendicular tothe bottom panel I. The

When the box has been packed with end wall flaps l6 are then turnedinwardly and The ear portions 25, extending laterally from the end wallflaps 16, are folded so as to lie against the inside face ofthe adjacentside wall panels 2, as shown in Fig. 9. The ear portions 25 arepreferably provided with a mitered edge 30 which abuts against themitered edge 29 of the side wall flaps 21, thus securely locking the endwall flaps I6 in fixed box-assembled position. The erected box is nowready to receive the merchandise.

There is shown in Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, a collapsible box offurther modified form, which may be assembled from the blank shown inFig. 10. The blank shown in Fig. 10 is generally similar to the blankshown in Figs. 1 and 6 except that the end wall fiaps I6 are providedwith ear portions 3| which are formed by cutting notches 33in the endsof the flaps l6. Corresponding In assembling the box from the blankshown in Fig. 10 adhesive is first applied to the outside face of thetriangular tab sections In. The'blank is then'inserted in abox-assembling machine which operates to erect the side wall panels 2and thereafter or substantially simultaneously therewith turn thesecuring tabs extending from the side wall panels inwardly. The end wallpanels 4 are then erected and finally pressure is applied to the endwall panels 4 and the adjacent triangular tab sections 10 to adhesivelysecure the parts in assembled relationship. The assembled box is thenremoved from the machineand the side wall panels 2 permitted to collapseinwardly so as to overlie the bottom wall panel I, as shown in Fig. 12.

In erecting the box the operator applies inward pressure to the end wallpanels 4 so as to bring the end wall panels 4 into erect position, whichoperation causes the erection of the side wall panels 2 to a positionsubstantially at right angles to the bottom wall panel I. The end wallflaps l6 are then turned inwardly so as to overlie the inside face ofthe end wall panels 4 and finally the operator inserts the ear portion3| into the adjacent openings 32 provided in the triangular tab sections9. The ear portions 3| are frictionally held and clamped in positionbetween the outside face of the triangular sections 9 and the' insideface of the end wall panels 4, as indicated in Fig. 13. The erected boxis now ready to receive the merchandise.

There is shown in Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive, cerof a glue applicator anda box-assembling device.

Both the glue applicator and the box-assembling device may be supportedupon a suitable table 56.

The unglued blanks B, such as shown in Fig. 1, are arranged insuperimposed stacked relationship upon the table 50 beneath the gummeror glue applicator. Gumming members adjustably connected to a suitableframe 52 are reciprocated along a vertical path by suitable drivingmechanism which reciprocates the bar 53 attached to the frame 52. Thegumming members 5| are supplied with adhesive from a suitable fountain55 connected to the gumming members 5| by the adhesive supply conduits54. The fountain 55 may be provided with a suitable agitator 56. g

In operation, the gumming members 5| are moved downwardly until the footportions 51 thereof contact the uppermost blank B. The foot portions 51of the gumming members each apply a spot of glue |5 to the inside 'faceof the end wall panels 4, as shown in Fig. 15. It is evident that fourgumming members 5| are provided each having a foot portion 51 so shapedand constructed as to apply a triangular area of glue l5 adjacent eachend of the end panels 4,

the size and shape of the glued area l5 corresponding to the size andshape of the triangular portions III of the securing tabs. Theapplication of the triangular areas of glue to the inside face of theend wall panels 4 by the gumming members 5| is effected almostinstantaneously when the foot portions 51 of the gunm'iing members arepressed into contact with the end wall panels 4. As soon as the contacthas been made the gumming members 5! are lifted upwardly, carrying ablank B with them. The blank is now ready to be moved into theassembling machine.

The assembling machine as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, is provided with apair of parallel conveyor bars 60, which reciprocate horizontally totransport the blanks successively from the glue applicator to theassembling machine. The conveyor bars 60 are connected through asuitable link connection 62 to a reciprocating arm 6| driven by suitablereciprocating mechanism. The conveyor bars 60 are provided with hookedends 63 which are adapted to engage the blank, as shown in Fig. 15, andcarry it away from the glue applicator to a position beneath theboxforming block 1| and into resting position upon the sidepanel-turning plates 66 and 61.

As shownmore particularly in Figs. 14 and 16 side.panel-turning plates66 and 61. are fixed to a shaft 65 pivotally mounted in the bearings 69carried by the supporting brackets 68. Each of the side panel-turningplates 66 and 61 are of such size and shape as to accommodate a sidewall panel .2 of the box blank. To accommodate the assembling of boxesof different sizes the turning plates 66 and 61 are adjustably mountedon the shaft 65, and if desired shaft 65 may be made removable from thebearings 69 to permit replacement thereof with side panel-turningdevices of different shapes and sizes. The turning plates 66 and 61,positioned along each side'edge of the blank, normally restin asubstantially horizontal position, as shown in'Fig. 14, in whichposition the turning plates 66 and 61 support the blank in horizontalposition until the blank B is contacted by the descending forming block1|.

The forming block H is removably and replaceably attached toreciprocating plunger 10, suitable mechanism being provided toreciprocate the plunger 10in synchronism with other operative elementsof the machine. On the down stroke the forming block 1| contacts thebottom wall panel I of the blank, as shown in Fig. 15, the forming blockll vconforming in shape, size and dimensions to the-inside dimensions ofthe box. As the forming block H continues its down stroke the bottomwall panel I is forced downwardly causing the side panel-turning plates66 and 61 to pivot into a substantially vertical position,which pivotingmovement is preferably resisted by suitable spring devices. The pivotingof the turning plates 66 and 61 causes the side wall panels .2 to befolded up against the side wall surfaces 13 of the forming block II, asillustrated more particularly in Fig. 16.

It will be noted, by referring to Figs. 14, 15 and 16, that the turningplates 66 and 6'! are provided with wing or lap portions 15 extendinglaterally therefrom. These lap portions operate to fold the securingtabs inwardly against the vertical ends 12 of the forming block 1|.

As the forming block continues its downward movement the end wall panels4 of the blank come into contact with the rolls 80 provided at each endof the blank.; Each of the rollers 66 are fixed to a shaft 8| rotatablymounted in rial, such as rubber, and are generally cam shaped in crosssection, providing a cam surface 83, as shown particularly in Fig. 1'7.The cam surface 83' of the rollers serves to first wipe the end wallpanel 4 upwardly and thereafter to firmly press the triangular sections10 of the securing tabs against the inside face of the adjacent end wallpanel 4, during which operation the end face I2 of the forming block llserves as an anvil. The triangular section III thus becomes firmlysecured by means of the glue area i5, which it overlies, to the end wallpanel 4.

To obtain the desired cam surface. pressure of the rollers 8|] againstthe end wall panels 4 it is preferable to provide means to rotate therollers 88 in synchronism with the downward movement of the formingblock H This may be effected by providing a pinion gear 84 fixed to theend of each shaft 8|, which is engaged by a ratchet bar 85 attached tothe plunger 10 by means of a suitable bracket 86. The ratchet bar 85comes into engagement with the pinion 84 to rotate the rollers 80 whenthe forming block 1| has carried the box downwardly to a point adjacentthe rollers 88.

When the end wall panels 4 have been secured to the triangular sectionsHi, the plunger continues its downward movement beyond the rollers 80,the assembled box is then removed from the forming block 1i theassembled box drops through the opening 90 in the platform 58, and theplunger ID with its associated operating mechanism is returned to itsuppermost position ready to assemble another box. The assembled blanksare stacked in collapsed position, as indicated in Fig. 18 andthereafter packaged for shipment to the user.

If latex adhesive, rather than the usual adhesive glue, is used tosecure the box in assembled position, the adhesive may be applied as aseparate operation while the latex adhesive is in a substantially liquidcondition, and thereafter the adhesive is permitted to dry and theblanks suitably stacked and stored until they are to be assembled. Theglue applicator shown in Fig. 14 can then be built as a separate machineand the latex adhesive applied separately thereby.

Latex adhesive is applied to the outside face of the triangular sectionsID of the securing tabs and also to the inside face of the end wallpanels 4. to which it is applied in the form of a trian ular areasimilar in shape and size to the tr angular sect ons ill. The latexadhesive when dry will not adhere to the pa erboard nottheretoforecoated with latex adhesive, but the dry latex adhesive on the outsideface of the triangular sections ill will firmly adhere and become bondedto the end panels 4 when the same comes in contact with the triangularareas I 5 of latex adhesive applied to the inside face of the end wallpanels. Thus it is seen that either ordinary animal glue or latexadhesive can be .turn-in lap portions 15 will not come into contact withthe adhesive. Where the latex adhesive is used, however,- the box is notassembled until the latex adhesive is dry and the dry latex adhesivelayer on the outside face of the triangular. sections I 8 will notinterfere with the operation of the turn-in lap portions I5.

The box-assembling operation above described can be performed entirelyautomatically without hand operation. Paper box manufacturers aregenerally equipped with box-assembling machines now in common use, whichoperate toassemble the usual form of box formed from a blank such asshown in Fig. 19, which comprises a bottom wall panel I, side wallpanels 2, end wall panels 4, and securing tabs 40. extending from andhinged to the ends of the side wall panels 2. Such machines generallyoperate in a manner similar to the assembling machine shown in Figs. 14and 17, inclusive, by which the side wall panels 2 are turned upwardly,securing tabs 4a turned inwardly, the endwall panels 4 then turnedupwardly and finallypressed into adhering contacts with the securingtabs 4a.

\ My improved collapsible box constructed as above described can beassembled by the box maker by the same standard equipment with which heassembles the common everyday form of box from blanks similar to theblank shown in Fig. 19, which is considered the simplest and mostinexpensive box assembling operation known to the art. Collapsible boxesas heretofore constructed are assembled in the fiat collapsed position,which requires numerous and difiicult operations, some of which must beperformed by hand. My improved box is so constructed as to permit theassembly thereof expeditiously and economically on standardbox-assembling equipment at reduced cost as compared with the methodsemployed in assembling collapsible boxes now on the market.

It will be noted that when my improved box is erected in the positionshown in Figs. 4, 9 and 13, the side wall panels 2 and the end wallpanels 4 are not creased or provided with any collapsing score lines,which is necessarily provided on collapsible boxes as heretoforeconstructed. The maximum rigidity inherent in the material which formsthe side and end wall panels of my improved box is thus preserved sothat an unusually strong and rigid box results which is clearly superiorin strength and wearing qualities to collapsible boxes as heretoforeconstructed. It will also be noted that the securing tabs extending fromthe side wall panels 2 are provided with free ends and are notintegrally connected by a fold line .to the end wall panels 4,' which ischaracteristic of collapsible boxes as heretofore constructed. As aresult there is only one layer of paperboardinterposed between the endwall panels 4 and the end wall flaps l6, providing an erected box havingsmooth and uniform end wall sections which are neat and attractive, thebulkiness and bulging quality of the end walls of collapsible boxesheretofore made (caused by the plurality of layers of overlappingpaperboard interposed between the end panels 4 and the turned-in flaps16) being thus avoided. Thus a more uniform, as well as a moreattractive and serviceable collapsible box, is provided. The assembledbox can be easily and quickly erected by the user immediately priortopacking of the merchandise therein. The collapsed assembled blankspermit close stacking, greatly economizing in shipping and storagespace. The erecting operation can be quickly performed by a relativelyunskilled worker in a relativelyfew seconds.

It is understood that where the word box is used either themerchandise-containing section or the telescoping cover section isintended to be taining section and a cover section similarly constructedand telescoping over the containing section, may comprise the completecontainer. It

is also understood that the term bottom wall panel", as herein used isalso intended to connote what may be termed the top wall panel of acover section.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1.' A collapsible box formed of paperboard materialincluding, a bottom wall panel, side and end wall panels, free end tabsextending from the ends of said side wall panels, means securing aportion only of said tabs to the inside face of said end wall panels,inwardly foldable flaps extending from said end wall panels, andcooperating means associated with said tabs and said flaps for securingsaid flaps in assembled position, said means including relatively stifflug portions projecting downwardly from and in the plane of each of saidflaps, and a foot portion extending inwardly from each of said securingtabs, each of said foot portions having an-opening therein adapted toreceive one of said lug portions to retain said flap and the erected boxin fixed container-forming position.

2. A collapsible box including, a bottom wall panel, a side wall paneland an end Wall panel, a free end. tab extending from one end of saiddesignated, since it is understood that a conside wall panel directedinwardly and overlapping said end wall panel, means securing a portiononly of said tab to the inside face of said from said end panel andextending inwardly from said securing tab and seated against the insideface of said bottom wall panel, a lug portion extending from said flap,said foot portion having an openingtherein extending upwardly into thetab and adapted toreceive and retain said lug portion projecting fromsaid flap, the inside edge of the opening in said foot portion extendingsubstantially flush with the inside face of said end wall flap.

3. A collapsible box'including, a bottom wall panel, a side wall paneland an end wall panel, a free end tab extending from one end of saidside wall panel directed inwardly and overlapping said end wall panel,means securing a portion only of said tab to the inside face of said endwall panel, an inwardly foldable flap extending from said end wallpanel, and cooperating means for securing said flap in assembledposition, said means including relatively stiff un scored lug portionprojecting downwardly from and in the plane of said flap, a foot portioncut out from said end panel and extending inwardly from said seemingtab, said foot portion having an opening therein adapted to receive saidlug portion to retain said flap and the erected box in fixedcontainer-forming position.

HERMAN A. CARRU'I'H. 35

